I think people are still bitter about his meltdown [performance and behavior wise] last season, though we really shouldn't be as it helped kick-start the summer in style.

I got a #8 jersey a couple years ago, and then he got traded. It had no name on it as the Cubs were not using names on home jerseys.

I may have mentioned this before, but i am thinking about getting Quade's name on it now. I bet I would be the only person in Chicago with one of those other than Quade himself.

Well, to answer your question, I'd say many Cubs fans look down on Michael Barrett because he was not a particularly good defensive catcher and he appeared to lack a critical element of any catcher's game: "baseball intelligence." (See also: Ronnie Cedeno, whom I realize isn't a catcher but who suffers under a similiar perception by fans.)

Up until last season, Michael did wield a pretty strong, dependable bat. When his offensive numbers dropped, however, he pretty much lost all value to the team. And, moreover, when his in-game blunders drove Big Z's fist into Barrett's face, it was time for him to go.

I must admit, going into the '07 season, I identified myself as a Michael Barrett fan. I loved his bat and his gritty style of play. Did he go too far in punching A.J. in the face? Yeah, I think he did -- and Michael admitted as much afterward. However, I still support the motivation behind what he did. Sometimes showboats like Pierzynski who like to play mind games with other teams need to be put in their place.

I was in a bar the night of the Padres-Rockies game, and when Holliday slid into home plate I thought "Oh wow, it would suck to be that ca-- oh crap, is that Barrett?... Oh man. It is." I felt bad for him. Lousy way to end a lousy season. :-/